Hi all,
I have been keeping an eye on planers, as I have slowly, over the last year, put my workshop together. I have been very lucky to have picked up good deals on a used table saw and jointer. The planer would complete the big 3, but it is hard to find good used affordable ones. In my neck of the woods (west coast Canada) the Dewalt 735 is on sale for about $600 (CAN), a very nice machine, but perhaps overkill for my needs. HD sells the Ridgid TP1300 regular price $500 which I had been considering, but there is now also a sale on the Dewalt 734 for $380 which seems like a heck of a deal. The 734 and TP1300 seem very comparable to me . Pro’s for the Ridgid on the other hand are that it comes with a stand and lifetime warranty. Any other pro’s cons for these 2 machines that would recommend one or the other?
My use will be for making furniture for my home. Complete bedroom (starting with a set of end tables that I have just finished designing and can’t wait to get started on), dining room, living room, office, bath and kitchen. Wood will be mostly cherry, maple and birch, in that order, but will also include cedar, paduk and whatever else catches my eye.
TIA,
Mike
Replies
If you want a lifetime of collecting on the lifetime guarentee get the ridgid.
Then if you want a workhorse that leaves super minimal sanding get the DeWalt, money well spent.
Work Safe, Count to 10 when your done for the day !!
Bruce S. Counter Sales, Tech Rep. http://WWW.EAGLEAMERICA.COM
I bought the Dewalt 735 two months ago, and have been very pleased with it. It arrived via Amazon with a broken chain guard. A guick e-mail to DeWalt took care of that problem quickly and at no cost to me. I can't recommend them and their product too highly as they were very quick in solving the problem. As for the planner, with it's three cutter head, I can't tell the difference between the slower (more cuts ) vrs. the faster speed.
Jim
The 734 has a 3 blade cutterhead, while the Ridgid has a 2 blade. I'd toss the Delta 22-580 2 speed in the mix and buy the one you like best or find a sale on.
I agree, the Delta 22-580 is a nice machine. It came down to Ridgid vs. Delta for me, and in the end I opted for the Ridgid. I have been very pleased with it, and would recommend it. In almost 3 years of frequent use I can't think of anything off hand to complain about.
Either way you go you are getting a quality machine, however, the DeWalt was a little rich for me, and I didn't think I was capable of unleashing it's potential like others might.
Edited 4/18/2006 3:30 pm ET by mtnfreak14
I bought the DW 735 about two months ago (refurb $US390 delivered) and I wouldn't consider any other planer in the class- it is a very well thought out machine and it does every thing I ask it to. There seems to be a good supply of refurbs (not a good sign) but the only problem I'm aware of is the potential for shattering the plastic dust shroud if you take a big chunk out of a board. Since the shroud is hidden under the top cover and I'm careful about cut depth I'm not too concerned. The 734 is certainly an adequate machine but given the choice between a refurb 735 and a new 734 for the same money it was a simple decision.
The only issue I've had is occasional clogging of the dust chute.
BTW, I built a walnut stand for it that puts it at the right height to serve as an outfeed table for my TS and BS - works great!
Hope this helps.
P
The 735 is certainly a top machine. I haven't found any refurb units in Canada, the extra shipping expense involved with getting one through the USA brings the price back up to not much less then buying a new that I can pick up here. As it is, I am going to have to wait on the planer for a while as some unexpected expenses have come up. In the meantime I have started on my first project and having a lot of fun making every mistake possible. What I am doing is jointing one face and one edge on the jointer, and then making the other edge and side parallel with the table saw. Doing the face with the table saw means running the board through several time if it is wider ( 3.25-6.5 in). So far all boards have been less the 6.5in. A bit of a touch up with a plane, and it seems to work well. I have heard of few people doing it this way, but would think it is quite common.
admittedly, this comes from someone knee deep in a Delta Planer repair. So, I have full disclosure covered off...
That being said, I would make certain you do some searches regarding the pulley issues on Delta Planers.
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